How to propose to your man

Proposals are usually predictable: a man gets down on one knee and asks his lucky lady to marry him. Although proposal ceremonies vary, we automatically think of it as a man's responsibility.

Recently, women have decided to take charge and be the ones to propose, hence the popularity of shows like 'Marry Me Now', where it is the women who propose. This is still a very new concept, so there is still some hesitation about whether or not you should ask your husband to (hopefully) spend the rest of his life with you.

The first step is to make sure that he is open to the idea of being proposed to and that he is ready to move into the new stage of marriage.

Once you're sure he's made up his mind and wants to spend the rest of his life with you, here's how to do it without looking like a clown:

Start working on your self-confidence

Everyone has the right to make their own decisions when it comes to relationships, even if it means proposing to a man. But because it's not the norm, it can be difficult to go through with it.

There is the issue of being stigmatised and ridiculed, which is a real challenge for women who want to propose. You can prepare by building your confidence so that when you do propose, your man will feel the courage in your decision.

Pick a special date

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Being spontaneous is very unique in its own way, but it would also be nice to actually pick a date that just makes sense. It wouldn't be as memorable to propose on a random day because he might not be in the mood for surprises.

Pick a special date, such as a holiday, your anniversary or a day when he's off work, so he'll at least be relaxed and in a good mood.

Choose a comfortable location

Choose a place where you know he will be happy. If he likes a particular restaurant or park, you can plan to propose to him there.

It might also be a good idea to choose a private place if you're not sure how he'll react. This is better because it will help him feel less pressured and if he rejects the idea, it will be less embarrassing for you.

Decide if you will need a ring

The ring is the centrepiece of any proposal. However, this is a different kind of proposal, so you need time to decide if he wants a ring or if you should get him something else instead.

For example, if he has ever mentioned that he would prefer a bracelet instead of a ring when someone proposes to him, take note and go with that instead. Whichever option you choose, make it special for him. 

Let your speech be natural

No proposal is complete without a mini-speech. You don't need to say so many words because it's what you say that counts.

The best way to do this is to let the speech flow naturally. Let them know how much they mean to you and cross your fingers that they will say yes!